The GnATTERbox

For discussion of the issues faced when building a model or layout - how to replicate wood, what glues to use, exactly how much weathering can a Gnat take, a good source of detailing accessories - you get the picture, I'm sure.

I am considering repainting my Bramble line diesel locomotive, because the finish is to glossy and I would like a different shade of green.
Is there a good way of stripping enamel paint from a resin kit without damaging the detail.

Hi David,
Answers have been given to this problem in relation to plastic models here.I must admit I thought the Oracle had dealt with it in relation to his Resin Kits BUT I can't find the thread.
I'll speak to Steve sometime on Monday when either he'll answer or if the Export Market is still boyant I'll post the reply.

later, Forrest Today's scientists have substituted mathematics for experiments, and they wander off through equation after equation, and eventually build a structure which has no relation to reality. -- Nikola Tesla, July, 1934

Steve's suggestion is to use brake fluid BUT there are two provisos.
Current fluids with the Silicon formula don't strip paint!
Some resins might be dissolved.
Your only option would seem to be to remove the roof and try brake fluid on that part. If the resin is damaged a piece of Venetian Blind will provide a suitable replacement.
Steve made a second suggestion which, I must admit, I don't think will work with what looks Enamel Paint (Humbrol?). Dunk the resin body into thinners.

Thought I had better get that in first, as it will dissolve the resin As it happens, I have a Bramble Line loco which is almost identical sat on the shelf. Not mine, but like yours, is awaiting a repaint after it was hand painted with Humbrol enamels. Thought I would do a test after Gerry spoke to me yesterday.

I put the roof in some Acetone for a couple of hours and this was enough to soften the paint to the point where it could be rubbed off with a tissue. For removing from all the nooks and crannies, an old toothbrush will probably do the job. There is a drawback though, if the kit was assembled with Superglue, the acetone will also attack this and you could end up with the kit in it's original pieces.

Mulderspants wrote:Thanks for the response, "the kit of parts" is not an issue, its not as though the kit is made of many parts

Thats true, it might even be easier to strip if it does fall apart .
The Acetone doesn't dissolve the paint, it just softens it really. It does make it easy to rub off though while it is still soft. If the paint starts to harden again, just put it back in the acetone for a while and have another go.

Also works with acrylics and shouldn't effect the resin, not so safe with styrene.